By Bill W. Cooper
Grand Gedeh County Senator, Thomas Yaya Nimley, has publicly blasted President Joseph Boakai for what he describes as a blatant disregard for the Liberian Constitution and several other missteps.
The Grand Gedeh County Senator also accused the President of perpetuating a culture of constitutional violations by appointing individuals to act in tenure positions for extended periods, undermining the rule of law and governance in the country.
Sen. Nimley, who has a controversial past as a former commander during Liberia’s civil wars, and has now transitioned into a political figure spoke during a debate on a draft Bill, “An Act to Establish the Time Frame Act in Appointed Position in Government.”
Introduced by Grand Bassa County Senator, Milton Gbehzongar Findley, the draft bill is intended to ensure that all appointed acting heads of government’s Ministries and Agencies do not serve for more than 90 days.
However, weighing on the bill during yesterday’s deliberations, Sen. Nimley expressed his deep concern over what he termed “the erosion of constitutional integrity” under President Boakai’s administration.
He cautioned, “Mr. President, this your action is becoming increasingly frustrating, because we gave you Liberia, and you are giving us garbage, by violating all of our laws you took oath to protect and defend.”
The Grand Gedeh County Senator also specifically pointed to the practice of appointing individuals to act in key government positions for long periods without formal confirmation by the Liberian Senate as enshrined within the Constitution.
“This is not just a violation of the Constitution; it is a betrayal of the trust that the people of Liberia have placed in their leaders. You owed it to us as such, you and your advisor have to be careful because your action is becoming alarming,” he noted.
The Constitution, adopted in 1986, outlines the framework for governance and the rule of law in the country, as it stipulates that government officials must be confirmed by the Senate before being commissioned by the President.
But Nimley argues that President Boakai has repeatedly circumvented these processes, leading to a culture of impunity within the government, vowing not to support the bill till a change of regime.
The Senator maintained, “I love the bill because its content and intent is good but I will not support this bill till another government and if it is the same Unity Party (UP) government, then they will be walking into the door of impeachment.”
“You have to define the word rescue, because we can’t give you Liberia and then you be giving us violations upon violations. Violating all of our laws, the Constitution you took oath to protect and defend.
Is wrong Mr. President, and you need to stop or else, impeachment awaits you. We voted you will 40-year plus experience to serve, but not to violate the Constitution which you live all of your life on in government. Stop this now!” he warned.
Meanwhile, Sen. Nimley also called on his colleagues to prevail on the President, ensuring that he does the right thing, adding, “We must ensure that we demand this President to uphold the Liberian Constitution.”
